The Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball 2025
October 25–26, 2025 · A Magical Weekend Celebrating Jim Henson’s Iconic Fantasy Film
“You have thirteen hours...”
Or, in this case, two full days and one unforgettable night to lose yourself in a world of goblins, glitter, and Jim Henson magic.
We’re thrilled to announce that Holly Likes... Puppets is a proud sponsor of The Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball 2025, an official fan celebration hosted by Thames Con and fully licensed by The Jim Henson Company. Whether you grew up dreaming of masquerade halls and talking worms, or just discovered the film’s magic, this is a weekend made just for you.
🗓️ Dates: Saturday 25th – Sunday 26th October 2025
📍 Location: Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 1PE
🕰️ Opening Hours:
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Optional Film Screening: Saturday 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Masked Ball: Saturday 7:15 PM – 11:15 PM
What Is the Labyrinth Experience?
It’s more than just a convention, it’s a full scale celebration of Labyrinth (1986) and the creative brilliance behind it.
Held over two days, this event will bring together original cast and crew, passionate fans, iconic puppeteers, and world-renowned creature creators. Expect behind-the-scenes insights, jaw-dropping cosplay, a fantasy marketplace, and hands-on workshops that pull back the curtain on Henson-style puppetry and performance.
And yes! there will be goblins.
Special Guests from the Goblin Kingdom
This year’s guest list is packed with legends from Labyrinth, The Muppets, The Dark Crystal, and beyond.
Confirmed Guests So Far Include:
Dave Goelz Performer, Puppeteer & Actor
Characters: Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Zoot, Beauregard, Waldorf (following Jim Henson’s passing)
Credits: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, and more.
Louise Gold Actress, Singer, Performer & Puppeteer
Credits: Labyrinth, The Muppet Show, The Great Muppet Caper, The Dark Crystal, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Spitting Image, Sesame Street, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Blackadder.
Brian Froud Concept Designer & Artist
Credits: Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and the best-selling book Faeries.
Wendy Froud Sculptor, Puppet & Doll Maker, Author & Artist
Credits: Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal (Jen & Kira), Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Yoda), The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
Toby Froud Sculptor, Designer, Fabricator, & Filmmaker
Credits: Labyrinth (The Babe), Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link, The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman, The Chronicles of Narnia, Pinocchio (2022), The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
William Todd-Jones Creature Designer, Performer, Director, Movement Consultant, Writer & Digital Performance Artist
Credits: Labyrinth, His Dark Materials, Harry Potter, Batman, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Little Shop of Horrors.
Carol Amos Photographer & Psychologist
Credits: Labyrinth.
Jocelyn Stevenson Writer, Producer & Author
Credits: Fraggle Rock, Sesame Street, Pingu, The Tale of the Bunny Picnic, The Secret Life of Toys.
Dr. Andrea Wright Author & Researcher (PhD)
Upcoming Work: The Fairy Tales of Jim Henson: The Best Place by the Fire.
Nigel Plaskitt Performer, Puppet Coach & Puppet Director
Credits: Labyrinth, Spitting Image, Doctor Who, Muppet Treasure Island, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppets Most Wanted, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Captain Scarlet.
More guest announcements coming soon!
From creature performers to conceptual artists, this is your chance to hear directly from the minds (and hands) behind the magic.
Puppetry & Performance Workshops
As a puppetry enthusiast, I’m especially excited to support this year’s live workshops, where attendees can learn real techniques from industry legends:
🔹 A Taste of Avenue Q — with Nigel Plaskitt
An introduction to professional puppeteering, straight from the West End stage and Henson-style training.
🔹 Living Puppets: Goblins & Daemons — with William Todd-Jones
Try your hand at puppets used in real productions and learn how movement breathes life into foam and fabric.
🔹 Helping Hands Workshop (Free & All Ages)
Recreate the iconic “wall of hands” scene with performers from the film — an eerie, unforgettable highlight.
Cosplay, Creatures & Photo Ops
Whether you're channelling Sarah in her ballroom gown or a mischievous Firey with removable limbs, this is your moment. The weekend will be packed with costume showcases, photo zones, and film-accurate props. There’s even a marketplace for all your goblin-core needs — from puppets to prints to pins.
“Things are not always what they seem in this place…” So keep your eyes peeled. You never know when a puppet might wink at you.
👑 Masked Ball
“I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you!”
Once the day winds down, the moonlit revelry begins. The Masked Ball is your chance to step into the Goblin King’s court for an immersive evening of live music, theatrical surprises, themed drinks, and 80s bangers — all in costume, of course.
Whether you’re in elegant finery or full goblin gear, prepare to dance the magic dance among fans, friends, and Labyrinth royalty.
🎟️ Don’t Miss Your Chance
Tickets are on sale now, and some workshops have limited availability. Whether you’re coming for the puppetry, the nostalgia, the fantasy, or the fan community, this is a one-of-a-kind event that truly turns the world upside down.
Holly Likes... Puppets is proud to be part of this magical weekend and I hope to you enjoy the day!
And remember...
“Should you need us, for any reason at all…”
We’ll be waiting. October 25–26, 2025.
Tickets start from £44.95, with options ranging from single-day passes to VIP weekend experiences, including access to the Masked Ball.
👉 View the full ticket tiers and book through the official Thames Con website:
Read the latest here
The Goblin Gazette 5
The Goblin Gazette 4
The Goblin Gazette 3